BASIC CONCEPTS IN ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE (ESD)

Copyright 2003 DESCO INDUSTRIES INC.

3/02

ElectroStatic Charge Generation:

When two Surfaces in Contact then Separate

Some Atom Electrons Move Causing Imbalance

One Surface Has Positive Charge & One Surface Has Negative Charge

Lightning
Zap from a door

 Charges Seek Balance Discharge is Rapid Creating Heat

 Electrical Current Flows Easily So Can be Grounded Can Discharge Examples Metals and People

 Electrical Current Does Not Flow Easily Cannot be Grounded Example: Plastics
Typically very high charging

Walking across a carpet: 1,500 - 35,000 volts

Walking over untreated vinyl floor: 250 - 12,000 volts

Vinyl envelope used for work instructions: 600 - 7,000 volts

Worker at a bench:
700 - 6,000 volts

Unwinding regular tape:

9,000 - 15,000 volts

People Discharge Frequently

But To feel a Discharge it must be about 3,000 volts

100 volts or less can damage components!

ESD Class 0: Damage you cant feel: ESD Class 1: ESD Class 2: ESD Class 3: Damage you cant feel: Damage you might feel: Damage you can probably detect as spark with your own body:

0 to 199 Volts

200 to 1,999 Volts

2,000 to 3,999 Volts 4,000 to 15,999 Volts

Smaller components mean greater sensitivity to ESD. Damage to these components can not be detected by the naked eye.

At this magnification we see that 1/2 of the width of the material has been destroyed

At higher magnification, the pit in the area between the base and emitter becomes more obvious Integrated Circuit

 Latent Defect

Component wounded But Inspection Passes Catastrophic Failures Inspection Able to detect

 Sub Assembly passes inspection Assembly passes inspection Product passes inspection Works a while for customer Then Upsets & Mysterious Problems More Returns More Warranty Costs Lower Customer Satisfaction

Control Germs

Control ESD

We are aware of sterilization in medicine

We should develop the same attitude about ESD

Identify ESD Area Identify ESD sensitive items Provide ESD control training

Ground Conductors

Shield ESDS When store or transport outside EPA Neutralize insulators with ionizers

Ground Conductors Including People

Wrist Straps

Must work, so test wrist strap daily

Foot Grounders Must work, so test foot grounder daily

Ground All Conductors in ESD Protected Area

Dissipative WorkSurfaces
Ground ESD worksurface via ground cord to common point ground to equipment ground

Conductive Floor Mats

Ground ESD floor mats via ground cord to equipment ground

 Charged Insulators Cannot be grounded

Ionizer air flow floods area with Ions - Neutralizing Charge

Faraday Cage

Charges Kept on Outside of Package:

Closed

Metallized Shielding Bag Covered conductive tote box

Remove Insulator or Change to ESD Version

ESD Smocks and Gloves

Conductive Foam & Shunt Bars

Antistatic or Low Charging Tape

Dissipative Binders & Document Protectors

Dissipative Floor Finishes

Conductive & Dissipative Flooring

 Test Wrist Straps & ESD Footwear daily Keep wrist band snug, foot grounder grounding tab in shoe, & ESD Smocks buttoned up Only trained or escorted people allowed in ESD Protected Area

 Keep work area clean & clear of insulators Handle un-packaged ESD sensitive items only when grounded Visually check all grounding cords to make sure they are connected

 Make sure Ionizers are maintained and air flow is not blocked Use shielded packaging for shipping or storing ESD sensitive items outside the ESD Protected Area

Ground Conductors including people

Neutralize insulators with ionizers

Shield ESDS when store or transport outside EPA

BASIC CONCEPTS IN ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE (ESD)